Alternating Cable Cast On for Perfect Ribbing

The alternating cable cast on is a beautiful invisible cast on that looks great with ribbing. The edges of the cast on elegantly merge right into the knits and purls, giving the illusion of no cast on at all.

The alternating cable cast on is also quite stretchy, making it nicely suited for ribbing. In fact, I sometimes refer to it as my “ribbing cast on”!

While this cast on is more advanced than a long tail cast on, it’s a great technique to use for hats, mittens, socks and sweaters, where ribbing abounds.

Try out the technique and take it slow. Rewatch parts of the video if you need. It’s really a fantastic cast on to have in your back pocket!
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/// VIDEO CHAPTERS ///
Intro to Alternating Cable Cast On: 00:01
Comparison with Long tail Cast On: 00:34
Cast On Demo: 00:45
Knitting the 1x1 Rib: 6:36
Knitting the 2x2 Rib: 7:44
Knitting in the Round: 13:07
A Chat with You: 13:17
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[tstp]

Oh, and best of all, no guessing at how much yarn to use at the start! Especially when casting on many many stitches.😄

[kattiestokley]

While I realize this video is 5 years old, I am so incredibly thankful for this tutorial and had to say so! This will be my new favorite way to get a nice cast on edge for ribbing. Even the 2 x 2 rib. Thank you!

[RukiaandIchigoeva]

I don't even know if you read all of your comments but you have been my lifesaver. My family has a tradition of every new family member gets a hand-made Christmas stocking. Since I just got recently engaged to a man with a daughter, we need two more stockings. Unfortunately my grandma, who has made all of our stockings in the past, has gotten to the point where she can't remember how to knit. So I was asked if I could do it since I already know how to crochet. Basically, you have taught me everything I know about knitting so far and I am able to start making my new family some stockings. So thank you from the bottom of my heart!

[kathyann]

This is the best video for this type of cast on! I love that you explained so clearly how the position of the yarn indicates whether a knit or purl is the next stitch when doing the cast on row. In the past, I always had trouble remembering what type of stitch I had just made! I am easily distracted!! Thanks so much!

[hippychick]

So much easier if you insert the needle BEFORE tightening previous cast on stitch....and as an added bonus it keep a nice space between stitches for much more stretch. Hope this is helpful for beginners✌🏻💛

[dianthafrankort]

By far my favorite channel for knitting tutorials. Absolutely crystal clear every time. Thank you.

[chyhart]

I needed understanding on why the knitting gymnastics is the method when it seems like instead you could cast on 2knits then cast 2 Purls? And you delivered. I love how the end to your video explains this in exactly my brains thinking. I've always been a "why" person. It's always easier for me to learn when I know the why!

[carolineyeager]

I found swapping the knit and purl stitches kind of tricky at first but the result is definitely worth the effort. Btw, my first attempt using this cast on for 1x1 ribbing led to the happy discovery that it is absolutely fantastic for seed stitch. .

[mariehansen]

You still got that brilliant sense of humor. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[Runt]

That little tip to figure out if you k or p was a HUGE help, thank you.

[EvesEvolution]

This is genius for the beginner! My soul was jumping for joy skipping cast well sort of. YOu are still casting but adding in the stitches at the same time! Thank you for the tutorial, very easy to follow! Now if I could just stop making mistakes after the 20th row I'd be happy. Sick of starting over! I'm an advanced Crocheter so this is like learning a new language and trust me I am! America Sign Language! So much to remember, too small of a brain and memory bank! LOL Same with Knitting! I get so lost when I do knit purl, family starts talking and frustration sets in. Until now. I did not know what the stitches looked like in knit or purl. I've done nothing but garter stitch. Time to buckle down and stop dropping stitches. Crochet is much more forgiving than knit is! I don't know how my mother back in the 80's knitted as much as she did the English way! I tried Continental as well. That's a little challenging but the English way is much easier for me. Not to mention I've only poked my eye out 10 times before I got the hang of it. BUT! LOOK AT IT! LOL I did 20 rows! Be proud of me family! LOL

[JanetJenkins]

I prefer the way this 1x1 cast on looks over the tubular cast-on for the hat that I'm knitting. This is a brilliant explanation! Thank you!

[rosemarywhitley]

Thank you so, so much for this excellent tutorial and fabulous demonstrattion throughout. I am partially sighted so it was really helpful to me that you used a high colour contrast yarn and thicker needles.❤ That you showed the exact angles of how to go into the stitches multiple times, amazing! That made it much easier for me to follow and I've mastered it! You're the best! Thank you ❤

[chyhart]

Update : I did it! The hardest part was my adhd making me not sure if I just completed a knit /Purl accurately 😅 Wait.. You did 18 stitches ending in a knit? Do you not count the first slipknot as a stitch? The image @1:38 shows 19 total stitches. I'm doing a pattern where I have to cast on 2x2 alternating rib of 40 stitches, so I'm not sure if I should do an extra stitch at the end like you did and end in a knit stitch.. Or if I should count the slip not and end in a purl stitch. Hmm I'll start over.. Good practice I guess

[Kimmcdougalcrafter]

Davina, guess what? I learned how to do the ribbing and made a scarf! Now, guess what? I'm cable knitting my first scarf!! Not bad for a crochet girl huh??! LOL! You make knitting so cool! Love watching and listening to your sweet voice! Thanks girly!

[katieg]

You videos are the best! Clear visuals, clear instruction, and fun :) You make it simple and enjoyable to follow along. Thank you!

[makoeyes]

I'm making my first cardigan and this video is exactly what I need. Very glad I watched until the end as I was trying to figure out how to apply this to a 2x2 rib cast on. Thanks so much for another clear and helpful tutorial!

[annezwier]

Excellent and clearly explained. For the 2x2 rib I put the to be switched purl stitch temporarily on a third needle (just a short cable needle). After the 2nd knit stitch I purl from that cable needle. I experience that easier and faster to do.

[susanlucero]

Hello, Davina, I am so glad I took another look at your tutorial. Great one! Better than the one that I had to do a 3- row set up and leaves a loose join in those rows after I joined in the round. I was really having a hard time using the knitting needle for the cast-on row, but I found using a crochet hook does the trick and it became easier. Furthermore, I found your "ooopps moments" so daunting and treacherous for me so I looked for a way, too. Thus, I got a locking stitch marker, hook the purl stitch that you have to switch position, knit the next, return the hooked purl stitch to the left needle and continue purling. It was like doing a cable without actually using a cable needle. Yes, it added more steps for me but in the end so worth it rather than rattling up my nerves hahahahaha Thank you so much, Davina! You're always such a great teacher and fun, too! More power to your channel <million THUMBS UP>

[helena.]

Thank you ever so much for this video. I've done this cast on before but have had to rip it out many times because I lost track and couldn't tell which stitch came next. Now you've made it so clear by showing how to distinguish the knit and purl cast on stitches. So glad to have come across your vid 😁😁😁😁